Why PDP Refused to Discipline Wike: Inside the Party’s Democratic Dilemma

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has explained why it has not taken disciplinary action against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, despite persistent calls from critics within the party.

Speaking on a television programme, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba said the party is committed to democratic principles and cannot operate like a military command structure. According to him, the PDP believes in resolving internal disputes through dialogue, fairness, and due process rather than hasty punitive measures.

“We are following through and solving our problems methodically in a democratic way,” Ologunagba stressed, adding that the PDP is not a one-man party where decisions are imposed from the top.

The statement reflects the PDP’s long-standing approach of handling internal disagreements carefully. Rather than rushing to sanction powerful figures like Wike, the party insists on formal processes, usually requiring petitions or internal resolutions before the disciplinary committee can act.

This cautious posture has angered many within the PDP. Some argue that the party’s credibility has been weakened by its reluctance to sanction Wike, who openly challenged the party during the 2023 elections. Critics claim the leadership is too timid and influenced by Wike’s loyalists within the party structure.

The matter highlights deeper fractures within the PDP. On one side are leaders pushing for discipline and accountability; on the other are those prioritising party unity and institutional procedure. Balancing both has proved difficult as the party seeks to remain a viable opposition force ahead of future elections.

By choosing restraint, the PDP signals that it values internal democracy over political expediency. Yet this same restraint continues to fuel frustration among members who believe the party must show stronger leadership if it hopes to regain power nationally.